Afghanistan’s Taliban formally codified a long-ranging list of rules governing morality this week. These rules are promoted to be in line with Islamic Sharia law and will be enforced by the Morality Ministry. Based on a 2022 decree by the Taliban’s supreme leader, it is now an official law. Supreme Spiritual Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada ratified the law on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024. The Morality Ministry (previously known as the Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Propagation of Virtue) has already enforced similar rules, detaining thousands of people for violations.

Some of these rules under the 35-article morality law include requiring women to cover their faces, men to grow beards, banning car drivers from playing music, and barring the publication of images containing living beings. The Taliban’s Justice Ministry indicated that penalties for any violations of these rules include “advice, warnings of divine punishment, verbal threats, confiscation of property, detention for one hour to three days in public jails, and any other punishment deemed appropriate.” These rules serve to “promote good and forbid evil in accordance with Islamic Sharia.”

The Taliban’s restrictions on women specifically have prompted intense scrutiny from other members of the international community. The former insurgents regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, yet are not formally recognized by many foreign governments due to their infringement on women’s rights. According to Reuters, a housewife from Kabul stated “day by day, they are trying to erase women from society.” She continued, saying “The silence of the international community regarding the actions of the Taliban is encouraging them to create new laws and restrictions every day.” According to the Taliban, they respect the rights of women with their interpretation of Islamic law and local customs. Many of these rules, however, pertain to the literal silencing and shaming of women. Article 13 of the 35-article document relates to women. Women must veil their bodies at all times in public, and they must wear a face covering to avoid temptation and tempting others. Female voices are deemed intimate and should not be heard singing, reciting, or reading aloud in public. Women are forbidden from looking at men who are not related through marriage or by blood.

Many hold the position that peace cannot be achieved without adequate human rights for all people. With this view, there is no peace in Afghanistan under the new morality laws despite their ratification. Women deserve to feel safe and to be heard. These rules pose a serious challenge.